By a vote of 62 to 35, the Senate has just obtained cloture on Judge Leslie Southwick’s nomination to the Fifth Circuit. The final confirmation vote, which will surely result in approval, is occurring now.

I suppose that this should be an occasion for celebration, but the campaign against Judge Southwick, including by leading Democratic senators, has been so vicious and dishonest that my primary reaction to the whole process remains one of disgust. Judge Southwick has more integrity and character than all of his attackers combined, and it’s a shame that anyone would be so abused.